InfoAccess — platform for the distribution of Southern African information
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045240 |
| Published date | 01 April 1993 |
| Pages | 245-247 |
| Date | 01 April 1993 |
| Author | R. McGillivray |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Article
InfoAccess — platform for
the distribution of Southern
African information
R. McGillivray
CSIR Information Services, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract: Local information distribution in electronic
form in South Africa is a new and growing industry.
Research shows that in any country the needs of users of
information are largely for local information and
to
a lesser
extent for overseas or external information. CSIR
InfoAccess offers not only a local electronic information
service to information seekers, but
is
also available to
database owners wishing to distribute their own information
into the market-place. The link to the Worldnet Gateway is
critical in this respect since it not only promotes the
distribution process but also makes the service available to
the non-expert searcher.
1.
Introduction
To understand the development of InfoAccess and its distri-
bution channel Worldnet Gateway, one has to understand two
thrusts in the IT world — that of re-positioning of products
and services into electronic media for distribution and the
continuing thrust to capture the end-user market. These trends
are a reflection of
the
general trends in business of electronic
trading, quality as a differentiating factor and the just-in-time
approach.
2.
Reasons for the development of InfoAccess
Many factors contributed towards the development of In-
foAccess by CSIR Information Services.
2.1.
A changing CSIR
In the last five years CSIR has undergone a change from a
research organisation — often described
as a
university with-
out the hassle of students — to a technology transfer organi-
sation. One of the favourite similes our President uses to de-
scribe the activities of the organisation is that of 'a funnel and
bridge' — funnelling in to this country technology appropri-
ate to solutions or needs, modifying it as necessary and then
bridging it in to companies and communities within Southern
Africa. As South Africa emerges from its isolation, so this
activity plays
a
crucial role in assisting companies to compete
in the global market.
2.2. The need for local information to become available
electronically
Research shows that in any country or in any organisation,
information needs are satisfied in the majority of cases from
local or in-house resources and to
a
lesser extent from external
resources. If we look to our local sources of information, elec-
tronic availability is not high. Thus a need for information to
be organised in databases which are available for distribution
in various electronic ways was identified.
2.3.
Entering the global village
As South Africa re-enters the global village, not only will
local companies seek sources of both local and overseas infor-
mation, but countries north of our borders and in other conti-
nents will seek information about this region.
2.4. Commercialisation of information resources
CSIR has always had databases relating to its research activi-
ties and in Information Services these were the basis of sev-
eral of our information products. Development of our
information platform allows commercialisation of some of
these databases in ways not possible previously.
2.5. Moving mature products into a new growth phase
Some of our information services were at
a
mature stage of the
product life
cycle.
The new platform will enable the Division
to push these products into
a
new growth phase through deliv-
ery via a new medium. It will also allow development of new
products.
2.6. Following information industry trends
The trend worldwide, not only in business generally but also
in the information industry in particular, is towards greater
speed in delivery of
services,
attention to quality of services
and customisation, just-in-time production and what some
call the virtual product.
The Electronic Library, Vol.
11,
No. 4/5, August/October 1993 245
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